‘Noor Tagouri’ is probably the most famous Muslim female on social media at this very moment. For those not familiar with her (I wasn’t until a few days ago), Noor is an American Muslim of Libyan heritage who works as a reporter for the ‘Newsy’ video news network. So why is the name ‘Noor Tagouri’ on everyone’s lips right now? Well, Noor featured in an interview with ‘Playboy’ magazine and described it as “an honour”. To say MSM (Muslim Social Media, I’m appropriating that abbreviation and claiming it) has freaked out over this would be an understatement!

‘Playboy’ is a Men’s magazine that is most famous for being founded by Hugh Hefner and featuring pictures of nude women it describes as ‘Playmates’. (It would be both fair and just to point out at this stage that Noor was pictured fully clothed and the interview was not of a sexual nature). In 2015, Playboy announced it would no longer feature full frontal nudity. One would normally applaud this apparent moral awakening and this victory for modesty. However, this is not the first time Playboy has had an identity crisis. In the 90’s, the rise of ‘lad’s mags’ such as ‘FHM’ and ‘Maxim’ saw a decline in Playboy’s own relevance. Regarding the recent change in stance, their CEO admitted Playboy could not compete with freely and widely available internet pornography. Playboy now tries to market itself as a more socially acceptable magazine similar to ‘Vanity Fair’ and the like.

One could still argue that this is a positive and praiseworthy move by Playboy, even if there are some business drivers behind the decision, the end result is good: an end to them publishing nudity. However, a simple Google search (I advise not clicking beyond the Google search results…) shows that Playboy still run:

  • ‘PlayboyPlus.com’ which features both pictures and videos of naked women
  • Playboy clubs, which include ‘Playboy bunnies’ (female workers dressed in the trademark Playboy outfits)
  • ‘Playboy TV’ which shows hardcore pornography and is available on a subscription basis

I’ll let people make up their own minds about whether the decision around the magazine still deserves any credit or praise and whether it is actually about marketing rather than modesty.

As stated earlier, I am not overly familiar with Noor Tagouri, I obviously do not know her personally and therefore I should give Noor the benefit of the doubt as to her intentions and reasons for appearing in the magazine. I cannot criticise Noor’s character or beliefs, slander her or make this personal in any way, those that have crossed the line in these regards should think twice about their own character. There is a famous saying which can be used here: “Two wrongs do not make a right”.

However, what I do take issue with is the decision to appear in the publication and also the potential impact this could have. Firstly, regardless of the magazine now being ‘nudity-free’, surely featuring in a published interview is an endorsement of their brand, sleazy history and sixty-year business venture of demeaning and objectifying of women which continues to this day? It is a brand founded by men, run by men and the end consumer has always been men as a means to fulfil their perverted desires.

Secondly, where is the ‘honour’ and achievement with a Muslim woman appearing in Playboy? Was this really a barrier that needed breaking? Without doubt, women in the Muslim community and public sphere are under-represented and marginalised. This is a very real challenge and obstacle that needs to be dealt with. Whether this is representation on mosque committees, numbers of qualified scholars and theologians or appearances on panels at Muslim events, there is much work to be done in breaking down walls and challenging the status quo that prevent such things becoming a reality. I would love to see female scholars and theologians reach the heights and have the same appeal as Sheikh Yasir Qadhi, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan or Mufti Menk. Surely the real honour and achievement would the one who tries to emulate Aisha (ra) who narrated over 2200 hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) who was in fact a scholar and taught men the religion of Islam, or Fatima Al-Fihri, who as a Muslim woman founded the World’s first ever University?

There are those that say it is ‘empowering’ and ‘inspiring’, it is a form of ‘Dawah’ (calling to Islam or propagating the message of Islam) and some good may come of it. I don’t follow or agree with this for a number of reasons. I think it would have been more empowering to decline the interview and an appearance in the magazine. Young women (both Muslim and non-Muslim) look up to people like Noor and follow their every move on social media. Imagine the message that all the money, limelight and attention Playboy would offer is not worth you compromising your value and principles. Is that not real empowerment and inspiration?

The ‘red herring’ and fallacy of it being some form of Dawah is wrong on so many levels and is a weaker argument the more you think about it. Would it be a form of Dawah if a man visits a strip club and propagates this ‘message’ whilst getting a lap dance? Could you justify visiting a pub and then turn a collection of beer mats into a prayer mat and label it ‘Dawah’? Do we rob someone of their money and then donate this money to charity and call it ‘good’? These are all as ridiculous as each other and we do not have this concept of the end justifying the means in our religion.

Then there is the idea that some good ‘may’ come of it. Well, what about the bad that ‘may’ come of it and is more likely to come of it? Imagine being the reason and inspiration for someone to deciding to go up a level and appear in Playboy Plus or become the first Playboy bunny in a hijab? What about the young impressionable young men that take an interest in your article and then decide to take a detour and then check the other websites Playboy runs? I wish these latter points could just be dismissed and laughed at but it is these points that are the most damaging.

The rise of ‘free pornography’ in HD quality instantly available at the tap of a button on your iPhone or tablet has not only caused Playboy to rethink their marketing strategy, but it has poisoned the minds and hearts of both young men and women on a scale we have never seen before. It has become an epidemic amongst the masses and a real addiction for some, with all the dangers and harm that more openly discussed addictions entail. Furthermore, the ‘hijab’ a symbol of a Muslim woman, a representation of modesty and obedience to God has become fetishised and sexualised in Pornography. It is truly no laughing matter and is why this issue runs deeper than it ‘just’ being an interview in ‘just’ a magazine.

I would like to say there are no winners in this, but there clearly is – it’s the Playboy empire. They finally managed to get the headline: “Playboy magazine features its first Muslim Hijabi woman” (this wasn’t their first attempt). It’s also a win for the trillion-dollar pornography industry. That is what we as parents, as brothers and sisters, as Muslims trying to uphold our faith, decency and modesty are up against. We might not have that budget, or the glossy magazines or the multi-million dollar mansions to hold parties in. What we do have to offer is our morality. We have our generosity and respect to our elders and our community. We have our duty to the poor and oppressed. We have our decency and dignity. These things, these values are far more precious than any headline, magazine spread or social media fame. This is our offer to the World, this is our Dawah.

 

AzTheBaz

26th September 2016